23 Jul Maryland Infant Mortality Rate Hits New Low, but Racial Disparities Remain
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By the Baltimore Sun – July 21, 2010
Maryland’s infant mortality rate dropped to its lowest point in 2009, according to preliminary statistics, but state public health officials say there is still need for improvement.
“We are so pleased this is showing positive progress,” said Frances Phillips, Maryland’s deputy secretary for public health. “These numbers are slow to change, and so we’re just really pleased with what these indicators are.”
However, while the infant mortality rate declined among whites, from 5.1 to 4.1, the rate increased slightly among black families to 13.6 from 13.4 in 2008.